U.S. transportation official to tour Long Bridge

PORTSMOUTH — U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx agreed to come to Portsmouth to see the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge following an invitation from U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H.

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By Staff reports

seacoastonline.com

By Staff reports

Posted May. 9, 2014 at 2:00 AM

By Staff reports

Posted May. 9, 2014 at 2:00 AM

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PORTSMOUTH — U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx agreed to come to Portsmouth to see the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge following an invitation from U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H.

The invitation came at a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing Wednesday and just after Maine and New Hampshire filed a joint application for a federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER, grant.

The Long Bridge is the No. 1 red-listed bridge in New Hampshire and requires replacement to ensure public safety and continuation of interstate commerce, supporters say.

"(The) New Hampshire and Maine DOTs have worked together on this, so we're on the same page, we've been partnering with stakeholders with both states to identify a solution to repairing the bridge," Ayotte said at Wednesday's hearing. "I'm sure you're aware we've applied for a TIGER grant that both states support and that the delegations, on a bipartisan basis, are supporting."

She invited Foxx to see the bridge, perhaps in a joint visit with the Maine and New Hampshire congressional delegations.

"I know that not only myself, but all my colleagues in both Maine and New Hampshire are concerned about getting this bridge repaired," she said.

Foxx replied: "Senator, thank you for the invitation and consider it done. We will schedule that."

Meanwhile, the N.H. Department of Transportation announced it will conduct a structural inspection of the Long Bridge beginning Monday, May 19. There will be lane closures as needed and as weather permits, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily for up to seven weekdays. Flag persons, electronic message signs and warning signs will notify motorists of lane closures. Motorists traveling between Portsmouth and Kittery, Maine, are asked to use alternative routes if possible to avoid delays. In the event of adverse weather, the inspection work may be delayed until the next suitable workday.